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2016 Apr-Jun; Vol 7, No 2:e3 |
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e3 |
Designing for Safety: Implications of a Fifteen Year Review of Swallowed and Aspirated Dentures J Oral Maxillofac Res 2016;7(2):e3 doi:10.5037/jomr.2016.7203 |
Designing for Safety: Implications of a Fifteen Year Review of Swallowed and Aspirated Dentures
1The University of Aberdeen School of Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdome.
Corresponding Author:
The University of Aberdeen Dental School
University of Aberdeen
Foresterhill Campus, AB25 2ZN, Westburn Road, Aberdeen
United Kingdome
Phone: +44 (0)1224 551901
Fax: +44 (0)1224 272576
E-mail: s.kent.02@aberdeen.ac.uk
ABSTRACT
Objectives: Dentures are worn by around 20% of the population, yet if they become displaced they may enter the gastrointestinal or respiratory system, sometimes with grave consequences. The aim of this study was to review recent published literature in order to identify the epidemiology of patients and characteristics of swallowed and aspirated dental prostheses, and propose strategies to minimise these risks.
Material and Methods: A fifteen year retrospective of published case series and case reports was carried out. Photographs, radiographs and descriptions of the dental prostheses were gathered, as well as the patient’s presenting complaint, the anatomical site where the denture was caught and the procedure required to remove the denture.
Results: Ninety one separate events of swallowed or aspirated dentures were identified from 83 case reports and series from 28 countries. Average age was 55 years, and these were 74% male. Photographs were retrieved for 49 of these dentures. Clasps were present in 25 of the dentures. There was no significant difference between clasped and unclasped dentures for perforation rates, need for open surgery and spontaneously passed dentures.
Conclusions: We discuss the implications of this study regarding denture designs, specifically the importance of using a radiopaque acrylic, using clasps when required even if there is a risk of aspiration, advising patients to return if a denture is loose or damaged, and finally that all patients who wear a denture are at risk of aspiration and swallowing events, and associated morbidity and mortality.
J Oral Maxillofac Res 2016;7(2):e3
doi: 10.5037/jomr.2016.7203
Accepted for publication: 9 June 2016
Keywords: deglutition; dentures; denture design; dental prosthesis design; respiratory aspiration.
To cite this article: Designing for Safety: Implications of a Fifteen Year Review of Swallowed and Aspirated Dentures J Oral Maxillofac Res 2016;7(2):e3 URL: http://www.ejomr.org/JOMR/archives/2016/2/e3/v7n2e3ht.htm |
Received: 15 March 2016 | Accepted: 9 June 2016 | Published: 30 June 2016
Copyright: © The Author(s). Published by JOMR under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 licence, 2016.